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The usher looked embarrassed and flustered. "Yes of course. Sorry. We were simply informed..." He bowed, not finishing the sentance then smiled apologetically. "Please. Enjoy the show."

He'd been told to try to change our minds... Relm gave him a forgiving smile, leaning her head lightly to Keme's shoulder as she did. Hopefully it would hide the way she was reacting to the way he had taken a stand. Relm felt quite silly but very thrilled; silly because she was thrilled. "it's okay, and I'm certain we will. Thank you."

Lightly she inclined her head as the man left them. Then she put her hands up just beneath her pendant to unfasten her shoulder cover, glancing at Keme & wondering if she should let him take it from her shoulders for her before she took her seat.

Actually, the box would be better for seeing the show as far as Relm's height was concerned. But they were to the side, which did not appeal to her. Not to mention so visible.... and after that little venture Relm was certain she did not want to be any more findable than she had to be.

She smiled as Keme helped her with her wrap, taking it from him as she carefully sat in her seat with her tail coming around beside her. Light green eyes watched him as fully as she socially dared. She looked for a moment as if she were about to say something but stopped & only smiled happily.

She wanted to kiss him, he looked so handsome. Instead she smiled up at him, reaching up to brush some imagined fuzz or dust off the collar of his coat, then dropped her hand casually to her lap and opened her program to glance inside.

After finishing with her program Relm smiled up at her beau, resting her hand on the armrest between them. Then she joined him in watching the others, a soft smile on her face. It was odd, not talking, but she did not want to think of what to say. Especially what they could talk about in a place like this.

And she was nervous after the usher's behavior. That other ushers leading patrons to their seats nearby seemed to look at and recognize her did not help that matter. The house lights flickered and the orchestra began warming up in earnest. Relm lightly touched Keme's knee and gave a small squeeze. Smiling at him she mouthed the word 'soon' and reached up to turn down the volume of her headphones.

The orchestra noise came to a halt as a stout but kind looking man walked out on stage while the last patrons took their seats. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for joining us this evening in our opening night production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera based on the book by Gaston Leroux. There are some wonderful special effects that we hope will not alarm, as well as the use of a smoke machine. We ask that there be no recording devices during the course of this production and ask that you turn off all cell phones, alarms and pagers at this time please."

There was a flurry of motion at different points throughout the audience followed by the sounds of those devices being turned off. The man smiled. From their seats it was easy to see he was accustomed to such an occurrence yet still it made him want to laugh. "Also if you have any candy, please open it now."

There was a scattering of snickers, Relm among them. The man smiled & added. "If you would like to eat one. The rest my remain wrapped, but please do not unwrap more until the Intermission at the end of Act One."

"Other than the candy there is to be no food inside the theatre. Food and drink will be available in the lobbies during the 15 minute Intermission. If I can direct you to the sides and rear of the theatre please note the exits to be used in case of an emergency. A reminder that if you leave the theatre for any reason during the course of the performance you will not be remitted to your ticketed seat until intermission."

He broke to thank their sponsors after which many of the audience looked like they expected him to be finished when he held up his hands and made a gesture to the back of the theatre. "I have one last thank you to make, along with a quick story."

Relm froze. "You see, we almost had to postpone the show. Last weekend as the sets were unloading the vehicle bearing all the scene backgrounds was demolished by a veering semi careening out of control. To order new would have taken weeks, even if there were spares in storage somewhere. But we were able to get them all replaced with the generosity and talents of one of our own local artists."

Please don't. Please don't. Please... "Relm Arrowny, would you please stand up."

Dammit. He looked right at her, but even still Relm considered not rising. Until the spotlight fell on her, Illumintating both her and Keme. her eyes flicked sheepishly to Keme before she stood gracefully. Her hand hung close as she dared to her date, seeking the comfort of his touch best she could without making a scene or sudden move.

Her fingers clutched Keme's tightly as she dared, smiling and turning and giving very small little bow-curtsies as the man directed the audience to applaud. It was only moments but it seemed forever to Relm who did not desire the attention. There was only one whose attention she craved and as soon as she was able Relm sank gracefully back into the seat beside him.

Flashing Keme a grateful smile she leaned over and whispered softly in his ear as the spotlight went off of them. "I was really hoping they'd say nothing about that..."

On stage the man was continuing. "Thank you. And now, we hope you enjoy... The Phantom of the Opera." Bowing he left the stage as the audience clapped and the houselights dimmed.

A lone spotlight focused on the orchestra pit and there was polite applause as the conductor walked to his place and bowed. Then silence, just before the show began.

Blushing furiously Relm shook her head lightly at that, wanting to protest but not having the time nor wanting to make any scene, no matter how small.

So she curled her fingers around Keme's and gave a gentle squeeze and smiled through her blush as the curtain opened on the auction house, the crack of the gavel making her jump as it sounded in the silence. Soon she was watching & listening intently. Relm knew the music but had never listened to the soundtrack all the way through.

She ducked into Keme's arm and gave a gasp as the chandelier laying on the stage once lit swung over the audience to hang above them. In that instant her heart raced, terrified for a brief moment that it would hit Keme in the head. She almost missed paying attention as the scene changed, showing the 'restoration' of the opera house into its former glory. Laughing softly, Relm chided herself that of course the audience was safe. Settling in to enjoy the show she then forgot about the chandelier, engrossed in the music and story.

Until it came crashing down again at the end of the act, causing her to jump and grip Keme's arm tightly.

As the lights came up in the theatre and members of the audience started to stir Relm made a slightly teasing pout-grin as she tilted her head to her date. "I'd almost swear they're trying to give me a heart attack with that chandelier."

She eyed it, laying collapsed on the stage. Then a slow smile spread over her features as she looked back to Keme. "I'm absolutely loving it though. So powerful."